Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
I’m guessing he felt sorry for me after seeing my room and that’s the only reason he brought me here. To be honest, I don’t know what to make of him or why he’s taken such an interest in me.
I grab a plain black shirt out of the closet, slipping it on. I look for some sort of sweats or something, but I don’t see anything but a pair of boxers. They’re huge on me. I have to roll them a million times to get them to stay up on my hips. They aren’t even visible with his shirt dropping almost to my knees. This will have to do, though.
I run my fingers through my hair to comb it as I drop down to sit on the side of the bed. I should go home. My eyes glance at the door. He’d hear me if I left right now. I’ll wait. I’m starting to think that Niki has a strange hero complex, considering what he does for a living. I snort a laugh thinking of his job like that, but I suppose it is.
This is so awkward. I feel more out of place than I do in my apartment when my mom has strangers over, as I refer to them. I usually hole up in my room so I don’t have to interact with them. I fall back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. My body is exhausted, but I don’t think I’m going to find sleep. There are so many thoughts jumbled in my head at the moment.
Between being where I’m not really wanted, the knot I still have in my stomach about the break-in at our apartment, and the test I have on Monday at school, I don’t think sleep is coming.
I force myself to get up and grab my bag. I set it down at the foot of the bed, pulling out my textbook. If I can’t sleep, I might as well do something that might help all the anxiety bubbling up inside of me.
I notice my hand is shaking when I go to flip the page. I fist and unfist it. It’s been a while since my anxiety has gotten the best of me. Everything from today is pushing in on me. It never ends. I thought there might be a small ray of hope when, for once, luck was on my side and I didn’t get my ass handed to me for the drug debt. I should have known better.
The words start to bleed together after a handful of pages. I close the book and go back to staring up at the ceiling. I texted my mom earlier to let her know I wouldn’t be staying at the apartment tonight, but I haven’t heard back from her.
I should have pushed back, but I'd let him lead me out of my apartment and back to whatever this place is. It's not his home, so it must be a crash pad. I jerk up from the bed, coming to my feet to stare down at the clean comforter and sheets.
I'm guessing Niki doesn't take people home where his family lives since his sister is scared of strangers. That only means one thing: This must be where he hooks up with girls. The thought makes my stomach twist. I should go home.
I grab my phone, texting my mom again before dropping it into my bag along with my clothes and textbook before putting my sneakers on. I huff an annoyed breath when I see that the sole of my shoe has come off again. Of course it did. I just want this day to end already. I can’t worry about it right now, though. I need to make my escape.
Not wanting to be busted slipping out, I slowly open the bedroom door. I peek out; the only light comes from the kitchen, but it is sufficient for me to see clearly. Seeing that the coast is clear, I head for the door.
Shit, I think when I pop two deadbolts and open the door partly. I can't leave him here alone with the door not locked. I let out a small scream when the door slams back shut. I jump backwards, my back colliding with a body. It's then I see Niki's hand on the top part of the door over my head.
"What are you doing?" He sounds pissed. Slowly I turn around, swallowing when I see a wall of a chest, a bare, broad expanse with a range of tattoos. My eyes track downward, following the rigid lines of his muscles. He has a few small scars, but they only add to the appeal. "Andy."
"Yeah?" I snap my head back to stare up into his intense gaze.
"What are you doing?"
"Checking the locks?" Why do I feel so busted? I can leave. I'm not doing anything wrong. He stares down at me. “Okay, I was going to head home.”